hamper English · revision 1334

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhæm.pə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈhæm.pɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|hampren|t=to surround, confine]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) possibly from the noun ''hamper'' “basket”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) Random House relates it instead to Old English ''hamm'' “enclosure” and ''hemm'' “hem”.^(RHWU) The noun “basket” is a contraction of [[xno|hanaper]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[der|fro|hanepier|t=case for holding a goblet]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from ''hanap'' “goblet”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) of Germanic origin,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) related to Old English ''hnæpp'' “bowl”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The basket, as ''hampyr'', is recorded in 1316–17,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) and the verb, “to surround, confine”, before 1375.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The verb meant to confine, to pack into a container and to impede movement.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The figurative sense of entangling with difficulties is now the common one.^(OED 1989)^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) The basket noun first meant a case for documents, utensils or food^(Barnhart 1995) and now a covered wicker basket, as for picnics or laundry.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) A nautical noun, gear that is necessary but sometimes in the way, as in ''top hamper'', dates from 1835.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1316–17 – noun, a container.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * about 1350 – verb, to obstruct movement.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1375 – to surround, imprison.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1392 – a large covered basket.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1835 – nautical, gear that is in the way.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To hold back or prevent free movement or progress; to [[hinder]] or [[impede]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large basket, usually with a lid, as for food or [[laundry]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(British)'' Such a basket with its contents, especially food, as a gift.^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(nautical)'' Necessary equipment on a ship that is sometimes in the way.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hamperedly]]

+ * [[hamperedness]]

+ * [[hamperer]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[hanaper]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary groups ''hamper'', ''fetter'', ''handcuff'', ''hobble'', ''hog-tie'', ''manacle'', ''shackle'' and ''trammel'' as verbs meaning to restrict free movement or activity.^(AHD) Merriam-Webster notes that ''hamper'' may imply the effect of any impeding influence.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}